Ornaments
Az-Zukhruf
الزُّخرُف
LEARNING POINTS
The idol-worshippers are criticized for following their fathers blindly.
Allah does not have any sons or daughters.
Even though the deniers agree that Allah is the only Creator, they still worshipped useless idols.
Pharaoh and other deniers were destroyed for being arrogant.
It is okay to argue to make a good point, not just to win a debate.
The deniers are warned of a horrible punishment and the believers are promised a great reward.
EXCELLENCE OF THE QURAN
1Ha-Mim. 2By the clear Book! 3Certainly, We have made it a Quran in Arabic so maybe you will understand. 4And surely it is in the Master Book' with Us, highly honoured and full of wisdom.
حمٓ 1وَٱلۡكِتَٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ 2إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَٰهُ قُرۡءَٰنًا عَرَبِيّٗا لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ 3وَإِنَّهُۥ فِيٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ لَدَيۡنَا لَعَلِيٌّ حَكِيمٌ4
WARNING TO THE DENIERS
5Now, should We turn the 'Quranic' Reminder away from you 'simply' because you have gone too far in evil? 6'Imagine' how many prophets We sent to 'wicked' peoples of the past! 7But no prophet ever came to them without being mocked. 8So We destroyed those 'wicked people' who were much stronger than these 'Makkans'. The examples of those 'destroyed' before have 'already' been mentioned.
أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّكۡرَ صَفۡحًا أَن كُنتُمۡ قَوۡمٗا مُّسۡرِفِينَ 5وَكَمۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن نَّبِيّٖ فِي ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ 6وَمَا يَأۡتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِيٍّ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَهۡزِءُونَ 7فَأَهۡلَكۡنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنۡهُم بَطۡشٗا وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ8
WORDS OF WISDOM
In verses 12-14, Allah teaches us to appreciate the fact that He created for us things to travel with, like animals, ships, and so on. Even though these things are bigger than us, Allah has put them under our control and at our service. To thank Allah for this blessing, we need to say this `du'a` when travelling:
'Glory be to the One Who has put this at our service; we could have never done this on our own. And surely to our Lord we will all return.'
`Sub-hana al-lazi sakh-khara lana haza wama kun-na lahu mug-rinin, wa inna ila rab-bina la mun-qalibun.`
SIDE STORY
One day in 2009, I prayed Fajr very early in the morning then drove to another city to take an exam. I usually leave a bit early to avoid any surprises on the road. When I started the car, I recited the above `du'a` of travel. I didn't know the way, so I had to use a GPS. On the way, the GPS told me to turn right to take the highway, so I did.
All of a sudden, I realized that I was driving the wrong way as I saw a bunch of cars and trucks coming towards me! I quickly drove to the side of the road, turned around, and drove back to the right exit. I trust that Allah saved me on that day because I said the `du'a` of travel. `Alhamdu-lillah`, I arrived on time, took the exam, and got a very high score.
ALLAH IS THE CREATOR
9If you ask them 'O Prophet' who created the heavens and the earth, they will certainly say, “They were created by the Almighty, with perfect knowledge.” 10He is the One' Who has laid out the earth for you, and set in it roads for you so that you may find your way. 11And 'He is the One' Who sends down rain from the sky in perfect measure, with which We give life to dead land. And this is how you will be brought out 'of the grave'. 12And 'He is the One' Who created all 'things in' pairs,' and made for you ships and animals to ride 13So that you may sit easily on their backs, and remember your Lord's blessings once you are seated on them, saying, "Glory be to the One Who has put these at our service; we could have never done this 'on our own'. 14And surely to our Lord we will 'all' return!"
وَلَئِن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ خَلَقَهُنَّ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ 9ٱلَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَهۡدٗا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمۡ فِيهَا سُبُلٗا لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَهۡتَدُونَ 10وَٱلَّذِي نَزَّلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءَۢ بِقَدَرٖ فَأَنشَرۡنَا بِهِۦ بَلۡدَةٗ مَّيۡتٗاۚ كَذَٰلِكَ تُخۡرَجُونَ 11وَٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ ٱلۡأَزۡوَٰجَ كُلَّهَا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡفُلۡكِ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ مَا تَرۡكَبُونَ 12لِتَسۡتَوُۥاْ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ ثُمَّ تَذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَةَ رَبِّكُمۡ إِذَا ٱسۡتَوَيۡتُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ وَتَقُولُواْ سُبۡحَٰنَ ٱلَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُۥ مُقۡرِنِينَ 13وَإِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ14
ALLAH'S DAUGHTERS?
15Still the idol-worshippers have made some of His creation out to be a part of Him. Surely humankind is clearly ungrateful. 16Has He taken 'angels as His' daughters from what He created, and favoured you 'idol-worshippers' with sons? 17Whenever any of them is given the good news 'of the birth' of those 'daughters' that they claim the Most Kind has, his face looks miserable as he chokes with rage. 18'Do they claim that He has' those who are raised in jewellery and are not commanding in arguments? 19Still they have labelled the angels—who are servants of the Most Kind—as female. Did they see their creation? Their statement will be recorded and they will be questioned!
وَجَعَلُواْ لَهُۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ جُزۡءًاۚ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ لَكَفُورٞ مُّبِينٌ 15أَمِ ٱتَّخَذَ مِمَّا يَخۡلُقُ بَنَاتٖ وَأَصۡفَىٰكُم بِٱلۡبَنِينَ 16وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحۡمَٰنِ مَثَلٗا ظَلَّ وَجۡهُهُۥ مُسۡوَدّٗا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ 17أَوَ مَن يُنَشَّؤُاْ فِي ٱلۡحِلۡيَةِ وَهُوَ فِي ٱلۡخِصَامِ غَيۡرُ مُبِينٖ 18وَجَعَلُواْ ٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عِبَٰدُ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ إِنَٰثًاۚ أَشَهِدُواْ خَلۡقَهُمۡۚ سَتُكۡتَبُ شَهَٰدَتُهُمۡ وَيُسَۡٔلُونَ19
SIDE STORY
Many verses in the Quran talk about those who turned a blind eye to the truth just because their parents did the same thing. When Allah sent a prophet to save them from darkness and guide them to light, they made fun of him. They even tried to harm him when he warned them of the consequences of blind following. This reminds me of a famous fictional story, 'The Country of the Blind,' first published in 1904 by English writer H.G. Wells.
According to this story, a powerful earthquake separated a faraway valley in South America from the rest of civilization. Inside the isolated valley, the people got sick, and everyone became blind over time. For some mysterious reason, blind people gave birth to blind kids.
One day, an adventurer, named Nuñez, was exploring one of those mountains surrounding the valley when he stumbled upon the 'Country of the Blind' by accident. He tried to explain to them what it meant to be able to see, but they made fun of him and called him crazy. They didn't believe him when he told them about the stars and the amazing world beyond those mountains.
Eventually, they tried to convince him that to be one of them he had to be cured of his ability to see! But he decided to escape before they could remove his eyes. As he was climbing out, he realized that the valley was going to be crushed by a huge rock slide. He tried to warn the people, but they made fun of him again. So he left safely before the disaster.
BLIND FOLLOWING
20And they argue, “If the Most Kind wanted, we would have never worshipped those 'idols'.” They have no knowledge 'to support' this 'claim'. They are just lying. 21Or have We given them a Book—before this 'Quran'—so they are sticking to it? 22In fact, all they say is: “We found our fathers practicing a certain way, so we are just following in their footsteps.” 23In the same way, whenever We sent a warner to a society before you 'O Prophet', its spoiled elite would say, “We found our fathers practicing a certain way, and we are walking in their footsteps.” 24Each 'warner' asked, “Even if what I brought you is better guidance than what you found your fathers practicing?” They replied, “We totally reject whatever you have been sent with.” 25So We hit them with punishment. See then what was the fate of the deniers!
وَقَالُواْ لَوۡ شَآءَ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنُ مَا عَبَدۡنَٰهُمۗ مَّا لَهُم بِذَٰلِكَ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍۖ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَخۡرُصُونَ 20أَمۡ ءَاتَيۡنَٰهُمۡ كِتَٰبٗا مِّن قَبۡلِهِۦ فَهُم بِهِۦ مُسۡتَمۡسِكُونَ 21بَلۡ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٖ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِم مُّهۡتَدُونَ 22وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِي قَرۡيَةٖ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٖ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِم مُّقۡتَدُونَ 23قَٰلَ أَوَلَوۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِأَهۡدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمۡ عَلَيۡهِ ءَابَآءَكُمۡۖ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَٰفِرُونَ 24فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡۖ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ25
THE CASE OF IBRAHIM'S PEOPLE
26'Remember, O Prophet,' when Ibrahim declared to his father and his people, "I am totally free of whatever 'fake gods' you worship, 27except the One Who created me, and He will surely guide me!" 28And he left this everlasting declaration among his children, so they may 'always' turn back 'to Allah'.
وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٰهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوۡمِهِۦٓ إِنَّنِي بَرَآءٞ مِّمَّا تَعۡبُدُونَ 26إِلَّا ٱلَّذِي فَطَرَنِي فَإِنَّهُۥ سَيَهۡدِينِ 27وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَةَۢ بَاقِيَةٗ فِي عَقِبِهِۦ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ28
THE CASE OF MAKKAN IDOL-WNORSHIPPERS
29In fact, I let these 'Makkans' and their fathers enjoy life, until the truth came to them along with a messenger making things clear. 30But when the truth came to them, they said, “This is magic, and we totally reject it.” 31And they argued, “If only this Quran was revealed to some important man from 'one of these two cities!'” 32Is it they who distribute the mercy of your Lord? We have distributed even their resources among them in this life and raised the level of some of them above others so that some may employ others in service. 'But' your Lord's mercy is far better than whatever 'wealth' they collect.
بَلۡ مَتَّعۡتُ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَءَابَآءَهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَرَسُولٞ مُّبِينٞ 29وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ قَالُواْ هَٰذَا سِحۡرٞ وَإِنَّا بِهِۦ كَٰفِرُونَ 30وَقَالُواْ لَوۡلَا نُزِّلَ هَٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡقَرۡيَتَيۡنِ عَظِيمٍ 31أَهُمۡ يَقۡسِمُونَ رَحۡمَتَ رَبِّكَۚ نَحۡنُ قَسَمۡنَا بَيۡنَهُم مَّعِيشَتَهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۚ وَرَفَعۡنَا بَعۡضَهُمۡ فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٖ دَرَجَٰتٖ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُهُم بَعۡضٗا سُخۡرِيّٗاۗ وَرَحۡمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيۡرٞ مِّمَّا يَجۡمَعُونَ32
WORDS OF WISDOM
This world is nothing compared to life in `Jannah`. This is why Allah says that He doesn't mind if He gave only the disbelievers all the luxuries they want in this life.
The reason why Allah is not doing this is because some believers with weak faith might be deceived, thinking that Allah has given these things only to the disbelievers because He loves them.
WHAT IF ONLY THE DISBELIEVERS ARE RICH
33If there was no concern that everyone would become a disbeliever, We would have supplied the homes of only those who disbelieve in the Most Kind with silver roofs, 'silver' stairways for them to climb, 34'silver' gates for their homes, thrones to relax on, 35and gold decorations as well. Yet all this is just a short enjoyment in this life. But 'the enjoyment of the Next Life' with your Lord is 'only' for those who kept Him in mind.
وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةٗ وَٰحِدَةٗ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ لِبُيُوتِهِمۡ سُقُفٗا مِّن فِضَّةٖ وَمَعَارِجَ عَلَيۡهَا يَظۡهَرُونَ 33وَلِبُيُوتِهِمۡ أَبۡوَٰبٗا وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡهَا يَتَّكُِٔونَ 34وَزُخۡرُفٗاۚ وَإِن كُلُّ ذَٰلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۚ وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ35
WORDS OF WISDOM
They say, 'Misery loves company.' This is why many people who have problems in this life are comforted by the fact that others are going through the same issues. But in the Next Life, when the wicked go to Hell, they will not be comforted by the fact that many will be suffering with them in the Fire, according to verse 39.
EVIL PARTNERS
36And whoever turns a blind eye to the 'Reminder' of the Most Kind, We assign for each a devil as their close partner, 37Who will certainly prevent them from the 'Right Way' 'while they think they are rightly' guided. 38But when such a person comes to Us, one will say 'to their devil', “I wish you were as far away from me as the east is from the west! What an evil partner 'you were'!” 39'Both will be told,' “Since you all did wrong, sharing in the punishment will not benefit you 'Today' at all.”
وَمَن يَعۡشُ عَن ذِكۡرِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ نُقَيِّضۡ لَهُۥ شَيۡطَٰنٗا فَهُوَ لَهُۥ قَرِينٞ 36وَإِنَّهُمۡ لَيَصُدُّونَهُمۡ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَيَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّهُم مُّهۡتَدُونَ 37حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَنَا قَالَ يَٰلَيۡتَ بَيۡنِي وَبَيۡنَكَ بُعۡدَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقَيۡنِ فَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡقَرِينُ 38وَلَن يَنفَعَكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ إِذ ظَّلَمۡتُمۡ أَنَّكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُشۡتَرِكُونَ39
WORDS OF WISDOM
According to a West African saying, it's very difficult to wake up someone who pretends to be asleep. Even though the Prophet (ﷺ) tried everything in his ability to guide the Makkan idol-worshippers, many of them continued to disbelieve. He is told in the following passage that he cannot help those who turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the truth.
He is also told to stick to his message and leave the deniers to Allah, Who will deal with them just like He dealt with Pharaoh and his people.
ADVICE TO THE PROPHET
40Can you make the deaf hear, or guide the blind or those who clearly lost their way? 41Even if We take you away 'from this world', We will surely hit them with punishment. 42Or if We show you what We threaten them with, We certainly have full power over them. 43So stick to what has been revealed to you 'O Prophet'. You are truly on the Straight Path. 44Surely 'this Quran' is 'a source of' glory for you and your people. And you will 'all' be questioned 'about it'. 45Ask the followers of the messengers We sent before you if We ever set up other gods to be worshipped instead of the Most Kind.
أَفَأَنتَ تُسۡمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ أَوۡ تَهۡدِي ٱلۡعُمۡيَ وَمَن كَانَ فِي ضَلَٰلٖ مُّبِينٖ 40فَإِمَّا نَذۡهَبَنَّ بِكَ فَإِنَّا مِنۡهُم مُّنتَقِمُونَ 41أَوۡ نُرِيَنَّكَ ٱلَّذِي وَعَدۡنَٰهُمۡ فَإِنَّا عَلَيۡهِم مُّقۡتَدِرُونَ 42فَٱسۡتَمۡسِكۡ بِٱلَّذِيٓ أُوحِيَ إِلَيۡكَۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٖ مُّسۡتَقِيمٖ 43وَإِنَّهُۥ لَذِكۡرٞ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَۖ وَسَوۡفَ تُسَۡٔلُونَ 44وَسَۡٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ءَالِهَةٗ يُعۡبَدُونَ45
THE CASE OF PHARAOH'S PEOPLE
46Surely We sent Musa with Our signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs, and he said: "I am a messenger of the Lord of the universe!" 47But as soon as he came to them with Our signs, they started laughing at them, 48even though every sign We showed them was bigger than the one before. So We hit them with different punishments so that they might return 'to the Right Way'. 49Then they cried, "O 'mighty' magician! Pray to your Lord for us, by the pledge He made with you. And we will certainly accept guidance. 50But as soon as We removed the punishments from them, they broke their promise.
وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مُوسَىٰ بَِٔايَٰتِنَآ إِلَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَمَلَإِيْهِۦ فَقَالَ إِنِّي رَسُولُ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ 46فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بَِٔايَٰتِنَآ إِذَا هُم مِّنۡهَا يَضۡحَكُونَ 47وَمَا نُرِيهِم مِّنۡ ءَايَةٍ إِلَّا هِيَ أَكۡبَرُ مِنۡ أُخۡتِهَاۖ وَأَخَذۡنَٰهُم بِٱلۡعَذَابِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ 48وَقَالُواْ يَٰٓأَيُّهَ ٱلسَّاحِرُ ٱدۡعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِندَكَ إِنَّنَا لَمُهۡتَدُونَ 49فَلَمَّا كَشَفۡنَا عَنۡهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابَ إِذَا هُمۡ يَنكُثُونَ50
WORDS OF WISDOM
In my Ph.D., I wrote about several propaganda techniques that are used in the media to achieve certain goals. They can be used to convince people to do something good or something bad. Those techniques are also used by some politicians to win elections or even turn someone into an 'enemy.' The same techniques have been used throughout history as if those using them have all graduated from the same school! They were used by Pharaoh against Musa (A.S.), by other deniers against their prophets, and by the Makkans against the Prophet (ﷺ). They are now used by some in the media against Muslims.
'Name calling' is the most common technique. For example, Pharaoh called Musa (A.S.) 'nobody' in verse 52. The Makkans said something similar about the Prophet (ﷺ) in verse 31 above. Both Musa (A.S.) and Muhammad (ﷺ) were called 'insane,' 'liars,' and 'magicians.'
'Fear' is also another technique. Both Pharaoh and the Makkans described Musa (A.S.) and Muhammad (ﷺ) as a threat (verse 26 above).
'Repetition' is also very common. The same lies were said about Musa (A.S.) and Muhammad (ﷺ) for so long that many people believed those lies were true.
PHARAOH'S ARROGANCE
51And Pharaoh called out to his people, saying 'arrogantly', “O my people! Am I not supreme over Egypt and all these streams flowing at my feet?' Can you not see? 52Am I not better than this nobody who can hardly express himself? 53Why then did he get no gold bracelets 'of kingship' and no angels came with him as escorts!" 54And so he fooled his people and they obeyed him. They were truly troublemakers. 55So when they made Us really angry, We hit them with punishment, drowning them all. 56And We made them an example and a lesson for those after them.
وَنَادَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنُ فِي قَوۡمِهِۦ قَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ أَلَيۡسَ لِي مُلۡكُ مِصۡرَ وَهَٰذِهِ ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِيٓۚ أَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُونَ 51أَمۡ أَنَا۠ خَيۡرٞ مِّنۡ هَٰذَا ٱلَّذِي هُوَ مَهِينٞ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ 52فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِيَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٞ مِّن ذَهَبٍ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَ 53فَٱسۡتَخَفَّ قَوۡمَهُۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُۚ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَوۡمٗا فَٰسِقِينَ 54فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ 55فَجَعَلۡنَٰهُمۡ سَلَفٗا وَمَثَلٗا لِّلۡأٓخِرِينَ56
BACKGROUND STORY
When verse 21:98 was revealed (warning the idol-worshippers that all objects of worship will be in Hell), 'Abdullah ibn Az-Ziba'ra, a poet who was always attacking Islam, argued with the Prophet (ﷺ) that if this verse is true, then 'Isa (A.S.) too would be in Hell because many Christians worshipped him! Other idol-worshippers started to laugh and clap, as if he had won the debate.
The Prophet (ﷺ) corrected him by saying that the verse is talking only about objects like idols (not people), plus 'Isa (A.S.) himself never asked anyone to worship him. Then verse 21:101 was revealed to support what the Prophet (ﷺ) said.
Later, when the Muslim army took over Makkah, 'Abdullah escaped to Yemen. Then he came and apologized to the Prophet (ﷺ) and accepted Islam.
ARE ALL OBJECTS OF WORSHIP GOING TO HELL?
57When the son of Maryam was mentioned as an example 'in a debate', your people 'O Prophet' made a scene. 58And they said, “Which is better: our gods or 'Isa?” They mentioned him just to win the debate. In fact, they are people who like to argue. 59He was only a servant We blessed, and made him an example for the Children of Isra'il. 60If We wanted, We could have easily replaced you all with angels on earth. 61And his 'second' coming is truly a sign for the Hour 'of Judgment'. So have no doubt about it, and follow Me. This is the Straight Path. 62And do not let Satan turn you away because he is really your clear enemy.
وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلًا إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ 57وَقَالُوٓاْ ءَأَٰلِهَتُنَا خَيۡرٌ أَمۡ هُوَۚ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلَۢاۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ 58إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَجَعَلۡنَٰهُ مَثَلٗا لِّبَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ 59وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَٰٓئِكَةٗ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ 60وَإِنَّهُۥ لَعِلۡمٞ لِّلسَّاعَةِ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِهَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِۚ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٞ مُّسۡتَقِيمٞ 61وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُۖ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوّٞ مُّبِينٞ62
THE TRUTH ABOUT 'ISA
63When 'Isa came with clear proofs he declared, “I have come to you with wisdom and to clarify to you some of what you differ about. So keep Allah in mind and obey me. 64Surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him 'alone'. This is the Straight Path." 65Yet their 'many' groups have differed among themselves about him'. So it will be horrible for those who do wrong when they face the punishment of a painful Day! 66Are they just waiting for the Hour 'of Judgment' to take them by surprise when they do not expect it 'at all'?
وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتِ قَالَ قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِي تَخۡتَلِفُونَ فِيهِۖ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ 63إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّي وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُۚ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٞ مُّسۡتَقِيمٞ 64فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِهِمۡۖ فَوَيۡلٞ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡ عَذَابِ يَوۡمٍ أَلِيمٍ 65هَلۡ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ أَن تَأۡتِيَهُم بَغۡتَةٗ وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ66
REWARD OF THE FAITHFUL
67Close friends will be enemies to each other on that Day, except the faithful, 68'who will be told,' “O My servants! There is no fear for you Today, and you will not be sad— 69'those' who believed in Our signs and 'fully' submitted 'to Us'. 70Enter Jannah, you and your spouses,' to enjoy happily." 71Gold trays and cups will be passed around to them. There will be whatever the souls desire and the eyes enjoy. And you will be there forever. 72This is Jannah, which you will be rewarded for what you used to do. 73There you will have lots of fruit to eat from.
ٱلۡأَخِلَّآءُ يَوۡمَئِذِۢ بَعۡضُهُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ 67يَٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ 68ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِنَا وَكَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ 69ٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ أَنتُمۡ وَأَزۡوَٰجُكُمۡ تُحۡبَرُونَ 70يُطَافُ عَلَيۡهِم بِصِحَافٖ مِّن ذَهَبٖ وَأَكۡوَابٖۖ وَفِيهَا مَا تَشۡتَهِيهِ ٱلۡأَنفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلۡأَعۡيُنُۖ وَأَنتُمۡ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ 71وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِيٓ أُورِثۡتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ 72لَكُمۡ فِيهَا فَٰكِهَةٞ كَثِيرَةٞ مِّنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ73
PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED
74Surely the wicked will be in the punishment of Jahannam forever. 75It will never be eased for them, and there they will lose all hope. 76We did not wrong them, but it was they who did wrong. 77They will cry, “O Malik!' Please, let your Lord finish us off.” He will answer, “You are definitely here to stay.” 78We certainly brought you the truth, but most of you hated the truth.
إِنَّ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ فِي عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدُونَ 74لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنۡهُمۡ وَهُمۡ فِيهِ مُبۡلِسُونَ 75وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَٰهُمۡ وَلَٰكِن كَانُواْ هُمُ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ 76وَنَادَوۡاْ يَٰمَٰلِكُ لِيَقۡضِ عَلَيۡنَا رَبُّكَۖ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّٰكِثُونَ 77لَقَدۡ جِئۡنَٰكُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَكُمۡ لِلۡحَقِّ كَٰرِهُونَ78
WARNING TO THE IDOL-WORSHIPPERS
79Or have they made some 'evil' plan? Then We too are surely planning. 80Or do they think that We do not hear their 'evil' thoughts and secret talks? Yes 'We do'! And Our messenger-angels are there with them, recording 'it all'. 81Say, “O Prophet,” “If the Most Kind really had children, I would be the first to worship them.” 82Praised is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne, far above what they claim. 83So let them be busy, enjoying 'their nonsense' until they face their Day, which they have been threatened with.
أَمۡ أَبۡرَمُوٓاْ أَمۡرٗا فَإِنَّا مُبۡرِمُونَ 79أَمۡ يَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسۡمَعُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوَىٰهُمۚ بَلَىٰ وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيۡهِمۡ يَكۡتُبُونَ 80قُلۡ إِن كَانَ لِلرَّحۡمَٰنِ وَلَدٞ فَأَنَا۠ أَوَّلُ ٱلۡعَٰبِدِينَ 81سُبۡحَٰنَ رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ 82فَذَرۡهُمۡ يَخُوضُواْ وَيَلۡعَبُواْ حَتَّىٰ يُلَٰقُواْ يَوۡمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِي يُوعَدُونَ83
ONLY ALLAH DESERVES WORSHIP
84He is the only True God in the heavens and 'the only' True God on earth. And He is the Wise, with perfect knowledge. 85And Blessed is the One to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and everything in between! With Him 'alone' is the knowledge of the Hour 'of Judgment'. And you will 'all' be returned to Him.
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي فِي ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَٰهٞ وَفِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَٰهٞۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ 84وَتَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِي لَهُۥ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَا وَعِندَهُۥ عِلۡمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ85
CALL TO THE WORSHIPPERS OF FALSE GODS
86Those 'objects of worship' they call besides Him have no power to speak in anyone's defence, except those 'faithful' who confirm the truth and they know.' 87If you 'O Prophet' ask those 'idol-worshippers' who created them, they will certainly say, “Allah!” How can they then be distracted 'from the truth'? 88'Allah is also Aware of the Prophet's cry: “O my Lord! These people will never believe!” 89So leave them alone 'for now' and respond with peace. They will soon see.
وَلَا يَمۡلِكُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ ٱلشَّفَٰعَةَ إِلَّا مَن شَهِدَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ 86وَلَئِن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَهُمۡ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُۖ فَأَنَّىٰ يُؤۡفَكُونَ 87وَقِيلِهِۦ يَٰرَبِّ إِنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوۡمٞ لَّا يُؤۡمِنُونَ 88فَٱصۡفَحۡ عَنۡهُمۡ وَقُلۡ سَلَٰمٞۚ فَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُونَ89